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The genesis of working on the mechanical drawing of a clutch spring: Zimbabwe towards elections
Clyde B. Chakupeta
February 02, 2008

Introduction
This is no thesis, but a reflection of the magnanimous position of our political and economic doldrums at the hands of the present government. Rather I salivate at the thought of the elections coming in less than two months time. I intended this to be the inaugural speech of the president elect, who ever it is, except for Mugabe. In it is contained the general pessimism coupled with optimism of those hopeful that this is the moment to set ourselves free from the government that has misruled us for the last twenty horrific years. Failure by the opposition to tap onto this opportunity would be a cavalcade of hypocrisy on their part and a betrayal to the ideals of democracy.

Let us grant for the sake of argument that all opposition is bad, both MDC formations I mean. But ZANU, being an old guard of politics, ought to conceive of the brutal fact that it has served its cycle. Any perpetuation would definitely de-serve whatever it had gained in the last 27 brutal years to the majority of the Zimbabweans. The people of Zimbabwe ought to speak in the coming elections, but they can only speak if and only when they are given the platform to do so, a free election. Free from intimidation and coercion. Change is what we want and change is what we will get.

Miserable specimen of humanity
Mugabe is a humanist, one might say, because he wants people to enjoy a better and happier state of life. But the more relevant point is he is not particularly interested in the actual lives of those who are faced with states of poverty and suffering - first his political status must be maintained before his humanity is experienced. There will always be a degree of doubt about the intentions or opinions of a thinker like Mugabe who indulges in rhetorical plays and flourishes only for himself. He uses passionate language to lure the poor, the poor he has created himself.

Like Machiavelli-s thoughts, the world is depicted as a jungle in which there is no reality but power and power is the reward of ruthlessness, ferocity and cunning. In such a jungle, the tyrant is king; and justice, liberty, equality count very little. Mugabe who is a notorious Machiavellian, values the use of conventionally immoral means for political purposes. His belief is that the government depends on force and guile rather than universal standards of truth or goodness.

His government has quelled any protests by the use of the patriotic police, spraying tear gas. Tear gas does not kill but it can be pretty painful. Women have been used in campaigns as the inducements for canvassing votes. They have been made to sing and dance, to tie around their slim waists the wrapping cloth with Mugabe-s portrait, a portrait that no one wants to be associated with. Fertilizer and seed has been given to the poor to buy their favour. Children have been inducted into the feeding programmes, all as gestures of goodness. Why feeding programmes when we can feed ourselves. Who has created this adverse situation when families have to depend on nutritional supplements? It is not a symbol of gesture to emasculate people of their fundamental rights, and give them in pieces, loaded with colourful speeches of generosity when we all know there is none. Women and children have been subjected to the most suffering at the home-front, yet the foundation and base of ZANU-s votes comes from such. Create suffering among the people in the night, come in the morning and sympathize with them, extend a helping hand - that is ZANU- tactic.

Zimbabwe whence-forth?
We have fought for a democratic constitution since 1980. Ours has been a quest for a constitution freely adopted by the people of Zimbabwe, reflecting their wishes and their aspirations. The struggle for democracy has never been a matter pursued by one party, one race, class, religious community or gender among Zimbabweans. Democracy is based n the majority principle. This is especially true in a country such as ours where the vast majority has been systematically denied their rights.

In the political order, we have established regular, open and free elections at all levels of government. There shall be a social order which respects completely the culture, language and religious rights of all sections of our society and the fundamental rights of the individual.

The task at hand is not an easy one; neither will it be an easy one. But we have been mandated to change Zimbabwe from a country in which the majority live with little hope, to one which they can live and work with dignity, with a sense of self-esteem and confidence in the future. The cornerstone of building a better life of opportunity, freedom and prosperity is the reconstruction and development of the country. This needs unity of purpose, and needs action. It requires us all to work together to bring an end to division and end suspicion and build a nation united in our diversity.

To raise our country and its people from the morass of racism and political propagandry will require determination and effort . The MDC ought to create a legal framework that will assist, rather than impede, the awesome task of reconstruction and development of the battered country. It will take years to re-route the country that has been de-railed by the ZANU government.

The role of the xploited in social and political change
It is the people-s duty therefore to employ large scale mass mobilization for all to join in the cause for freedom; this is attainable only through everyone-s participation in the coming elections. The practice apathy and apoliticalism does the country no justice rather that perpetuates the stay of criminals as leaders. The poor and neglected continue to wallow in abject poverty, whereas the leader grow more and more fat packets.

Zimbabweans should realize that Mugabe is neither a demi-god, nor is the "an unmovable mover", but is just but a mortal being that trivializes people-s life and affronts his selfish enhancement. It is now that we have to end this brutal dictatorship, we can only end this by our decisive mass action in order to build peace and security and economic prosperity. The mass campaign of defiance and other actions of our efforts can only culminate in the establishment of democracy. The fabric of family life of millions of our people has been shattered. Millions are homeless and unemployed. Our economy lies in ruins and people are embroiled in political strife. The factors which necessitated the armed struggle still exist today.

The need to unite the people of our country is as important a task as it always has been. No individual leader is able to take on this enormous task on his own. It is our task as leaders to place our views before our organization and to allow the democratic structures to decide.

Genealogy of dictatorship - inter-party dialogue
The people need to be consulted on who will negotiate and on the content of such negotiations. Negotiations cannot take place above or behind the backs of the people. Negotiations ought to address the over-whelming demand of the people for a democratic non-dictatorised Zimbabwe. There is an urgent need to end the monopoly and statelised airwaves and the press and a fundamental restructuring of our political and economic systems to ensure that the inequalities of Mugabe are addressed and our society thoroughly democratized.

As a nation we must base our policies and strategy on the harsh reality we are now engrossed in, a result of gross mismanagement by Mugabe. Our quest for freedom and democracy has reached a watershed and decisive moment. I call upon all people to seize this moment so that the process towards democracy is rapid and uninterrupted. We have waited too long for this moment and to waste it in apathy is cowardice. Now is the time to exercise our rights, even in the stringiest of conditions. To relax our efforts now would be a mistake which generations to come will not be able to forgive us. The sight of freedom looming on the horizon should encourage us to redouble our efforts.
Our determination is irreversible. We must not allow intimidation and fear to stand in our way.

Frail MDC and other opposition forces
The people of Zimbabwe feel betrayed by MDC-s lack of vision. Two months, heading towards the elections, you are yet to unbundle your manifesto and what you are to offer if elected. We have waited and to inform us now that you "propose to boycott the elections until a new constitution" is built is just but a farce if immaturity. You resonated with ZANU in October in the 18th Amendment that patched, once more the now unpatchable Lancaster House Constitution. You relaxed and got yourselves taken to bed by Mugabe-s sugary charismatic promises.

To cry that the rural areas are impenetrable is but a quintessence of cowardice. Make inroads and propagate the rural folks. Gentlemen and ladies in the opposition - sacrifice. The people of Zimbabwe depend on you and every time to threaten a boycott is but a manifestation of political impotency. Zimbabwe is hungry not for words, but for action. Move into the rural areas and campaign and act with courage and vision. You need to outgrow the politics of student movements and boycotts but be ready to take ZANU PF by the horns. Expect casualties in whatever form, but remain conscientious to the destiny - democracy for Zimbabwe.

What people want to hear is a message of a new era, a message of hope, a message of reconciliation and of nation building. People sincerely hope that by the mere casting of a vote, the result will give hope to all Zimbabweans and make Zimbabweans realize this is our country, disintegrating but not decayed. Zimbabwe quests to hear the message of basic needs - creation of jobs, houses, the re-introduction of electricity to our houses, building of schools and clinics, hospitals, providing quality education in our schools, running water, paved roads and a resuscitation of the economy. These are priorities, tap on them and re-bounce them back to the people. I cherish the idea of a Zimbabwe of equal opportunities, working together to bring about security, peace and democracy. I sincerely hope that the mass media will use its powerful position to ensure that democracy is installed in this country, now and in the next government.

The people of Zimbabwe have fought against white dominion and today they fight against black domination. We cherish the ideals of a democratic and free society in which all people live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.

Wise counsel - conclusion
Henry Ford was a modest guy. He thought that the guys who were making the black Model-T cars ought to be able to afford one themselves so that they could go for a spin on a Saturday afternoon. That proved to be the first smart move in a crusade that would make him the father of 20th century industry. When the black Model-T rolled in 1908, it was hailed as America-s "Everyman car" - elegant in its simplicity and a dream machine not just for engineers but for marketing men as well. Ford instituted industrial mass production, but what really mattered to him was mass consumption. The next government therefore, this wise counsel reminds that it is the majority, not the rich and powerful only who need life. It is the populace, when satisfied, who make your image and immortalize you in the history of democracy for Zimbabwe. When you are there, do not despise the people who voted you, let the prospects of Zimbabwe be a common good.

*Clyde B. Chakupeta is a Zimbabwean political and social analyst based in Georgetown, Guyana

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